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Labour MP Jim Dobbin dies aged 73 Labour MP Jim Dobbin dies aged 73
(35 minutes later)
Labour MP Jim Dobbin has died aged 73, the party has announced.Labour MP Jim Dobbin has died aged 73, the party has announced.
Mr Dobbin, MP for Heywood and Middleton in Greater Manchester, was on a trip to Poland with a parliamentary committee when he died.Mr Dobbin, MP for Heywood and Middleton in Greater Manchester, was on a trip to Poland with a parliamentary committee when he died.
The former microbiologist had served as an MP since 1997, and won with a 5,971 majority at the last election.The former microbiologist had served as an MP since 1997, and won with a 5,971 majority at the last election.
Labour leader Ed Miliband said it was a "sad day for Parliament," adding that Mr Dobbin was a "dedicated public servant".Labour leader Ed Miliband said it was a "sad day for Parliament," adding that Mr Dobbin was a "dedicated public servant".
Mr Miliband added: "I will miss Jim's good friendship and decency.Mr Miliband added: "I will miss Jim's good friendship and decency.
"On behalf of the Labour Party, I offer our sincere condolences to his wife, Pat, and their children. We will all miss him.""On behalf of the Labour Party, I offer our sincere condolences to his wife, Pat, and their children. We will all miss him."
Mr Dobbin was in Poland for a Council of Europe trip. His wife Pat is believed to have been with him.Mr Dobbin was in Poland for a Council of Europe trip. His wife Pat is believed to have been with him.
Coal miner's son
The MP was a committed Roman Catholic and in 2008 he was made a papal knight by Pope Benedict.
In parliament, he chaired the Pro Life Committee and was a member of the Involuntary Tranquillizer Addiction Group as well as the Transport Scrutiny Select Committee.
He voted against the same-sex marriage bill last year and spoke out against the plans in Parliament, saying: "I think MPs who voted for this change will rue the day they did so."
The son of a coal miner, he was born in Kincardine, in Fife.
He went to Napier College, Edinburgh, where he studied bacteriology and virology, before working as a microbiologist for 33 years, 22 of which were for the Royal Oldham Hospital.
Mr Dobbin was elected as a councillor to the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale council in 1983, where he became group leader in 1994.
Former deputy Labour leader John Prescott said: "Jim was an excellent local MP, a strong believer in Europe, a proud Scot and a passionate defender of the NHS.
"His passing is such a tragic loss and he will be sadly missed by the Labour movement. Jim was a great comrade."
Ivan Lewis, Labour MP for Bury South, tweeted: "Jim Dobbin was a man of great integrity and decency. Sometimes didn't agree but always respected his sincerity."
Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell tweeted: "Really sorry to hear of the sudden death of Jim Dobbin MP. I only saw him on Friday voting against bedroom tax. He was a great MP."